In a battle between two of my preseason "top 3" junior teams in CWOSSA, the Resurrection Phoenix used a late-game run to get past the St. Benedict Saints by a 47-40 final yesterday afternoon in Kitchener.Runs were certainly the theme of the game, as the Phoenix opened by going up 11-3, only to see the Saints respond with a 10-2 spurt of their own and the game was therefore tied at 13 after the opening quarter.
The Saints continued their hot offensive play --- particularly from Alex Douglas, Zubair Seyed, and Justin Malnerich --- as they outscored Rez 16-6 in the second eight minutes to lead by 10 points (29-19) at halftime.
The third-quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with Rez unable to cut into the SBCSS lead. St. Benedict took a 39-31 lead to the fourth quarter, where Rez finally found their scoring touch.
In fact, the Phoenix went on a 14-0 run (making the score 45-39) over the first 7-plus minutes of the fourth quarter before Douglas made 1-of-2 from the line for the Saints with less than :20 on the clock.
After St. Benedict got the rebound on the miss and another opportunity, the Phoenix ended up getting a "run out" with time winding down and Muyang Iluya converted an "and one" as the buzzer sounded for the final points of the game. With +/- being a factor in the league standings, a discussion ensued regarding the free-throw (which Iluya made after a several minute delay). Though the free-throw was made, initially making the final score 48-40, the FT was wiped off the books today in accordance with NFHS rules (free-throws not impacting the result of the game will not be attempted if a foul occurs simultaneously with the end of the game).
Joe Hunter (14) and Muyang Iluya (initally 12, but after the FT was voided, 11) led the scoring for Resurrection. SBCSS' lightning-quick guard, Zubair Seyed, had 13 points to lead the Saints with Alex Douglas adding 12.
In other D8 junior action on Wednesday:
Another tight affair took place down in Cambridge, with the Monsignor Doyle Mustangs needed overtime to get past the Woodland Cavaliers, 43-42.
After scoring 25 on Monday, Jordan Deveney-Reid had 29 points to lead the Mustangs, while Latrelle Ackie netted 7. Teddy Neuman (14) and Spencer Carrick (10) were in double-figures for the Cavs.
In the day's other game, the CWOSSA #1-ranked St. Mary's Eagles had no trouble with an improved Rockway squad, holding off the Flames in a 64-25 final.
D8 Junior Standings
1. St. Mary's 3-0
2. Resurrection 2-0
T3. St. Benedict 1-1
T3. St. David 1-1
T5. Rockway 1-2
T5. Mons. Doyle 1-2
7. Woodland 0-3
